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So our day began in West Palm Beach. We rented a car from FLL and came up here in the off chance of setting a friend of mine. That didn’t happen. But we did find this place.

We got brunch. It was quite good especially for the price we paid.

After that, we made our way to Disney Spring in Orlando for this.

This is at a place called The Void. It is a hyper virtual reality hybrid. You interact in the VR world, but there can be a real life correlation. It is really hard to explain.

Dinner was Art Smith’s Homecoming. I failed to get many pictures here.

I got the cheese board and my wife got the fried catfish. The fried chicken here is amazing. Sorry, i screwed up the picture.

They also have moonshine. I tasted everything but that’s it. This will send be away if i drank all of this.

So now I made it to the airport and my flight is on time... supposedly. We remember the last time. Its a trap!

We also had a little adventure trying to fill up the tank to our car rental. The two gas stations nearest the airport was trying to charge $4.80/gallon?!?!? Go one more mile down the road and it’s normal price. I should have been suspicious when they didn’t post their prices.

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Here is where i break down my review of my cruise and my last thought.

Embarkation. Amazing. 6,000 people boarded on embarkation day. The port traffic was snarled due to that stupid train i mentioned, but that's not the cruise line's fault, its the port's fault. Who puts a railroad right in the middle of the artery that feeds all the passengers into the port. As i said, it literally crossed the road, stopped, backed up, went forward, backed up again, and then went forward before it got out of the way. But less than 15 minutes from door to ship regardless of status. There was no diamond line even though I would have qualified for it, it was never an issue.

Food. Our first night at the MDR was great. We had a high spirited lady named Dina. Her name was much much much longer. She was personable and genuine. I would have loved to have her for the entire cruise. But that didn't happen. We changed out for a different guy who turned out to be much slower. So service at the MDR is hit or miss. Like it usually is.

Food at the MDR is what is usually is. I enjoyed it for what it was. I've had it many many times, and there really isn't that much of a surprise for me. Although compared to my specialty restaurant experience, I think you're better off going to the MDR here at least on THIS ship.

This trip as some of you have read, was more of a specialty dining one than a MDR experience. So i'll break it down here.

Food. Inconsistent. 150 Central parked talked a great game, but failed to deliver. Chops has great steaks, but their appetizers were reused from the MDR which seriously gives me pause at the retail 50/person they are trying to charge. A $50.00 Steak is a Morton's Steak and although their steak is good, its not THAT good. Giovanni's Lunch was good for what it was. Though I've had better food at Giovanni's before. Pasta can be messed up. Izumi's hibachi is good, as long as you don't get seafood. The show IS different than some of the hibachi places you may have been. They especially love to sing. No fire tricks, due to being on the ship. Oh, did i mention that gratuities are now NOT included with the specialty restaurants now. When did that change? I kind of feel like Royal Caribbean shafted everyone here. They took away the worker's gratuities that were once part of the upcharge. They shafted the passengers by making them pay the gratuity if they book on board. Fortunately Chef's table still included gratuities...for now, however, I can see them pulling this as well, which means its an additional 17 bucks/person.

Service at these restaurants. They really want to give you great service for your meal and I applaud them for the attempt. However, I started to notice it is a little scripted, which isn't necessarily bad, but there is no follow up. On other ships, I felt they were more on top of allergies, where here, people didn't seem to either understand, or failed to follow up correctly. The inclusion of Chickpeas in my wife's dish after he was told she's allergic to PEAS, AND BEANS was bad. What's worse, chickpeas was NEVER mentioned as a major ingredient in this dish, because she would have passed on this dish if she had read that. Food quality was hit or miss. My duck at 150 Central Park was a hockey puck. Inedible. No attempt to rectify it these deficiencies. @death_star's wife had the same duck dish I had at a later date, and she confirmed that it was just as tough as mine was. It was not a fluke, that's just how they cook it. bleh, and they don't care.

Also, it maybe cultural, but the host should not be saying "Well, its about time you showed up" when welcoming you to your restaurant. Especially when THEY screwed up the reservation and then go "but that's okay, because we can accommodate you fortunately" It should have gone "Oh crap, we screwed up, let us make it up to you"

Chef's table. I love love love Chef's table. This one did not disappoint for the most part. But they too had deficiencies in the same vein as the other specialty restaurants. Again, allergies in this venue I feel is a bigger offense because according to the description of what they are selling you, you are getting a personal meal made specifically by an executive chef of the ship. These guys are not line chefs. These guys are professional chef's with reputations. In this venue, I see Chef's gearing up for the challenge to deliver a special quality meal in accordance to everyone's restrictions. There should be no excuse where anyone at our table had to push their food away because of obvious contamination. Her dish WAS ALREADY specially made to accommodate her shellfish allergy but you miss her other tree nut allergy by garnishing it with candied walnuts? My wife was given a dessert that had peanut butter in it. It was thankful that this time around, the waiter caught his mistake and removed it before anything bad happening. 2 near misses for allergies. And then someone's post that caught the fact that the wine they are pairing is very cheap. As I told him, I know nothing about wines, but he has a point. The wine is being cheapened AND they were stingy about filling glasses. I'm not even sure if they refilled ANYONE'S glasses. They have in the past. Despite these issues, I still enjoyed this venue and would still do it again. Someone else in our party noted that the presentation was very scripted and passionless. Previous Chef's table, you can feel the pride the Chef's creation. This time, not so much. Its supposed to be special, yet little things detracted from it.

Conclusion reached about UDP. We had difficulties getting reservations for any real time frame. We could not reserve our other 2 dinners until we boarded. It was fortunate that we got 150 at the time we wanted at the restaurant we wanted because they choose the first restaurant and we wanted to try that...to our detriment (see above). Do people with UDP get a priority status for booking restaurants. It seemed like we were relegated to either late 8:30pm or later, or really early. Can you reserve if you have the UDP, because if you can't, then this would frustrate you to no end if you paid for unlimited and can't use it because they can never fit you in.

So the bottom line with Specialty restaurants on the Allure. Serious issues with quality and service. Much different from my experience on other ships.

Entertainment and Activities. This is where this ship shines. The entertainment staff and the professional shows and headliners. They were mostly good. A couple of head scratches for some of the shows, but they were still visually stunning. Mama Mia as I said was awesome. It is my wife's favorite show. My issue with this is that there is so much to do, that you're not going to get everything. I expected that there was too much to do that 7 nights is just not quite enough. But at the same time, with such a large crowd, you HAVE to overlap to accommodate everyone, but it feels like organized chaos a little. I had to just accept that I was going to miss a lot of things and that didn't quite sit well with me. At the same time, with so much going on, I didn't really get a chance to relax, for fear of missing something. I feel that the smaller ships do better here with their shows where they structure it against the set dining periods. This made me feel that I didn't had to rush, and the design will allow me to experience all the ship has to offer over time. I did not get that. It was more like a grab bag of activities and whatever you got, you got.

Ports of calls. I haven't really run into a port that i *hated*. My least favorite port is Grand Cayman because I feel its a bit sterile on culture. But i always manage to find something to do, even in Nassau where i've been there many many times. I was a little disappointed with missing Roatan because I wanted to take my wife there.

Ship ameneties. The app....The app stinks. It can tell you one thing, the reality maybe different. I made reservations with a live person where he repeated the reservations back to me. On day 2, I was at 150 Central Park and made reservations for day 3 and day 4. Confirmed with the guy. I asked if the app would reflect that, he said yet. On day 3, I noticed that my reservation for izumis was for day 5, not 4. Can't do 5, we were busy at that time. I called and they fixed it to 9:15 for day 4. When we got there, that's when we got that snarky welcome. My app and my verbal confirmation was 9:15, they showed 5pm.

We were late to the Harry Potter trivia because the app said it was in the Schooner yet in reality, it was at the On Air club.

Another thing that goes without saying. This ship is friggin huge!!! I lucked out having a room right next to the elevator, but still I felt like we did a LOT of walking and weren't even trying. My wife's phone clocked her at a minimum of 8000 steps/day. ON THE SHIP!!! It was more in port.

Ship design. Here's where they shine. People said that they didn't feel crowded on this ship. I would have to disagree slightly with this statement. I did feel crowded. However, the ship is HUGE. Worse yet, it FELT huge. So the crowds were on par with any other cruise, which gives credence that the design of this ship was well intentioned. However, I did feel crowded. There's a lot of people here. I felt crowded in how rigid the activities and entertainment were. If you planned everything to a tee, had reservations, like I did, I got to experience a good chunk of the ship, but I was still aware that there were 5999 other people meandering around. They do a wonderful job of crowd control and no one was left out of anything only because there was too much around. The result of this, is a cruise that felt like organized chaos. There were so many things popping up here and there, on the app, on the compass. It felt like there was no rhyme or reason with their activities, whereas on the other ships, even the Anthem which is the next sized down, there was some organization between the two dining times. There were specific things you needed reservations for, but the rest, was scheduled around the dining times. I liked that. Another thing i hate, is that most of the activities, had you holed up somewhere. You're in the schooner bar, no view outside. You're in central park, no view. You're in the boardwalk, no view except if you go all the way back. If you don't have a ocean view balcony or oceanview room, you got no sea and may as well be a glorified interior room. I just did not feel like i was on a ship. I guess people like that sort of thing, but for me, it is the farthest I've ever felt detracted from a cruise. The Quantum and the Freedom class felt like this too, but not nearly to this extent. I mean, even on the top deck, you look across the deck, you see sky, no sea, because the ship is wider and you are at least 15 stories up from the waterline.

Disembarkation. Again, incredible. Is this normal for Fort Lauderdale now? You never see a port agent. They take you up to a scanner, they read your facial and then you go get your luggage and leave. Done. Ship to door, 10 minutes and 10 seconds. New record absolutely shatters all other cruises where 30 minutes is the minimum. The last time I came into Fort Lauderdale in 2015 off a Celebrity Ship 1/3 the size of this ship (Infinity) and it took over an hour and a half.

My final thoughts. I don't think I will do an Oasis class again. Its too much for me. Did i have an amazing vacation. Yes i did. I'm glad I got to experience an Oasis class. But my feelings are that if you're on a cruise, you're on a cruise first, and a resort second. The resort fits on the cruise ship. As a result, you may find some truncated resort amenities, but its made up for the fact that you're at sea. On an Oasis class, you're on a resort first, and a cruise ship second. Its big enough that there are full size resort amenities. You forget you're on a cruise until you try to do something that you could easily do at a resort and you're stymied. But at the same time, even at the size of this ship, you're still fighting for space in a very limited area, even at the size of this ship. So you have a lot of the cruise ship drawbacks, but losing the cruise ship benefits. If i do an Oasis class again, it HAS to be more than 7 nights. And there has to be more days at sea.

I hope you've enjoyed my in depth live thread of the Allure of the Seas. Another first. I have NO cruises booked at this moment in time.😚 The one that we almost book, we would have gotten no perks whatsoever. Apparently, the Bermuda cruises are exempt from their specials. Still, we WILL book that soon, probably in the next month, but it isn't until 2021. So probably no live threads from me until then.

Edited December 9, 2019 by Rogueperson

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I missed my review of Jimmy Rhodes. What little I saw of him, I loved him. I really think what Mike Szwajkowski said was right. The larger ships is not where a good CD shines. He shines on the smaller ones. There’s so much going on, his energy gets lost in the shuffle.

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Reservations for the UDP must be done on board. If you don't make your reservations for the week when you first board there will be very limited choices.

On other ships, I found the reservations on board is a little weird. They will tell you they can’t take you, but then you look in the restaurant that night T that time and it’s totally dead. On Allure, the restaurants were actually more crowded.

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On other ships, I found the reservations on board is a little weird. They will tell you they can’t take you, but then you look in the restaurant that night T that time and it’s totally dead. On Allure, the restaurants were actually more crowded.

I've noticed that as well. I think that with the higher number of guests on the Oasis class, paying a premium for their fare compared to other ships there are more people interested in the specialty dining options and the restaurants are generally fuller.

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I've noticed that as well. I think that with the higher number of guests on the Oasis class, paying a premium for their fare compared to other ships there are more people interested in the specialty dining options and the restaurants are generally fuller.

Are the specialty restaurants the same price on other ships as well? I thought Chops was only 35 on Navigator last year, but i could be wrong. I had the 3 dinner special then too. I think i also paid 75 for it, not 99 per person.

Edited December 10, 2019 by Rogueperson

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Are the specialty restaurants the same price on other ships as well? I thought Chops was only 35 on Navigator last year, but i could be wrong. I had the 3 dinner special then too. I think i also paid 75 for it, not 99 per person.

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Liked your review, you are correct about to much to do in 7 days, that is why I do a B-2-B, that way you can pace yourself.

I told myself that the only way I would do a Oasis class, is if it was more than 7 days. 14 day cruises is a bit too much. I found the sweet spot of cruising for us is 10 nights. An Oasis class spanning that time frame would be perfect. The transatlantic ones are 11 nights, but only happen like twice every 5 years or so. I thought I might be able to catch it, but things didn't work out.

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We were on this cruise and although we didn't buy a dining package we did eat in 150 courtesy of our TA. The meal was excellent and the service very good. Here's a tip, never order the duck. Btw, we sailed on the Allure last April and ate in Chop's. The steaks were marginal at best.

In regard to feeling crowded, the Allure in April was packed compared to this cruise. Couldn't get near the flow rider, climbing wall or even Sorrentos.

In April there were often lines outside the windjammer for b,fast, lunch and dinner and they had both sides open. We don't eat in the WJ very often but checked daily on this cruise. No lines , always a place to sit and that's with only one side open most of the time.

In regards to seeing the ocean, we saw it plenty on the top decks. If all you're seeing is the deck and sky you're looking the wrong way. We also saw it on our daily walks outside on deck 5.

The app is still glitchy which is why we primarily use the cruise compass to plan our day and use face to face or the website (ahead of time since we don't buy the internet package) to make reservations.

Edited December 10, 2019 by mac66

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I hope you've enjoyed my in depth live thread of the Allure of the Seas. Another first. I have NO cruises booked at this moment in time.😚 The one that we almost book, we would have gotten no perks whatsoever. Apparently, the Bermuda cruises are exempt from their specials. Still, we WILL book that soon, probably in the next month, but it isn't until 2021. So probably no live threads from me until then.

Thanks for sharing Rogue. I'm glad you were able to enjoy your cruise this time round as opposed to what happened on Navigator.

We will likely not be cruising again until spring 2021 either since we want to do one out of New York with a 3 or 4-night pre-cruise stay, so some serious saving up is going to be required. We are currently trying to decide between the Anthem in April or Oasis in May and, like you, will probably book in the next month.

In the meantime, I guess we will have to get our cruising fix by following live threads by other posters!

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In regards to seeing the ocean, we saw it plenty on the top decks. If all you're seeing is the deck and sky you're looking the wrong way. We also saw it on our daily walks outside on deck 5.

That's my point. You had to work at seeing the sea. You had either deck 5, or deck 15 to see the seas and everything else, was closed in. The central park is enclosed. The Boardwalk is enclosed except for the rear, The Promenade was much more enclosed and had fewer windows (or maybe I missed them). On other ships, even the Anthem, there was more windows that looked out. Anthem felt similar because of the size, but it wasn't nearly as bad because of the additional width of the Oasis class. And if you weren't near a window, that additional width on Oasis class makes it tougher to glance out the window. Even on 15, if you had to be right next to the edge to see the sea, or you see nothing.

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Thanks for sharing Rogue. I'm glad you were able to enjoy your cruise this time round as opposed to what happened on Navigator.

We will likely not be cruising again until spring 2021 either since we want to do one out of New York with a 3 or 4-night pre-cruise stay, so some serious saving up is going to be required. We are currently trying to decide between the Anthem in April or Oasis in May and, like you, will probably book in the next month.

In the meantime, I guess we will have to get our cruising fix by following live threads by other posters!

Take care.

Fiona.

There is a very small chance I might hit the Grandeur in March of 2020. Lots of things have to fall in place. If it was just me, I have the time and the money to book another one. However, my wife can't go, so it would be a solo one again and I'm not willing to do another solo unless at least one of my friends join me...but at the same time, I have to do it solo, so i can get the extra points, so my friends, if they go, have to either go solo, or find a companion. The one friend who would do it...*cough* @death_star needs the points more than I do, and if he can do it, will also do it solo, but he has even more restrictions than I do to hop on a ship and go in March.

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That's my point. You had to work at seeing the sea. You had either deck 5, or deck 15 to see the seas and everything else, was closed in. The central park is enclosed. The Boardwalk is enclosed except for the rear, The Promenade was much more enclosed and had fewer windows (or maybe I missed them). On other ships, even the Anthem, there was more windows that looked out. Anthem felt similar because of the size, but it wasn't nearly as bad because of the additional width of the Oasis class. And if you weren't near a window, that additional width on Oasis class makes it tougher to glance out the window. Even on 15, if you had to be right next to the edge to see the sea, or you see nothing.

This is just my observations and my preferences for cruises.

I hear ya...

I prefer the Freedom class of ships personally but the Oasis class has its charms. They are big however and somewhat overwhelming the first time. I also think you give up a little food quality and service on the mega ships. We only booked the Allure this time for the itinerary (Roatan) and we got a very good deal (and the points). So why not? We can put up with the bigger size, the boardwalk and central park for a week. 😉

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Here is where i break down my review of my cruise and my last thought.

...

I hope you've enjoyed my in depth live thread of the Allure of the Seas. Another first. I have NO cruises booked at this moment in time.😚 The one that we almost book, we would have gotten no perks whatsoever. Apparently, the Bermuda cruises are exempt from their specials. Still, we WILL book that soon, probably in the next month, but it isn't until 2021. So probably no live threads from me until then.

Thanks for the detailed review, pictures, and observations. We are sailing on Allure soon. Your posts could not have come at a better time.

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I prefer the Freedom class of ships personally but the Oasis class has its charms. They are big however and somewhat overwhelming the first time. I also think you give up a little food quality and service on the mega ships. We only booked the Allure this time for the itinerary (Roatan) and we got a very good deal (and the points). So why not? We can put up with the bigger size, the boardwalk and central park for a week. 😉

Roatan was a major reason I booked this cruise. Although I have been there before, my wife hadn't. Was a little disappointed when they canceled it, but pretty much saw it coming for like 4 months when it was announced Allure was still suffering from propulsion issues.

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I've done some research on this trip and one of the scary revelations is that there will be EIGHT ships cruising out of Fort Lauderdale this sunday, including Adventure of the Seas, Sky Princess, Celebrity Edge and Regal Princess. I did the math here and at 90% of each ship's maximum occupancy, the number comes out to 28000. I did the math earlier using 97% double occupancy, and it came out to 26000. Doubling that number for passengers coming and going, we're looking at between 52,000 - 56,000 people. I know for a fact that Adventure is coming in at over 100% which means my guess is already off by 700 people. The only saving grace is that Sky Princess isn't boarding until 5pm, which means we won't have to deal with them, but they will still count as number of passengers processed in a day. Port Everglades' record is 54,700 set in March of 2016. Will we break it today?